Editing Finding a space (section)

== Search criteria ==
=== Price range ===

Less than $1000 a month, initially.

=== Ideal locations ===

Close to public transportation, near active culture. In the interest of safety, a neighborhood in which we won't attract negative attention.

=== Must have ===
* At least 100 amps of 110v, preferably 300+ amps with options for 220v and three phase. 
* Bathroom, either part of the space or in the building... and it should work at least 9 times out of 10. 
* A neighborhood in which members feel safe coming and going. 
* Reasonable security including high-security locks. Must be able to secure windows at ground level.

=== Nice to have ===
* 2,000 to 25,000 square feet stand-alone, zoned for mixed use.  
* Target of $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot total monthly cost. 
* Heavy power (400 amps or more, 3-phase).
* Open flex floor plan.
* Fenced back yard or secured side area for working on large projects.
* Secured storage.
* Roll-up door from yard into building for vehicle projects.
* Nice enough area that a parent would drop off their children for classes, and feel safe if we offered intro to electronics projects classes.
* Loading dock

=== Can't have ===

* Heavy lead paint (ANY lead paint)
* Asbestos
* Limited ventilation options
* No working plumbing
* More than X hours of work required before move-in, where X is dependent on member availability.
* Extremely high security risk.

=== Legal / insurance / zoning considerations ===
??

=== Location types ===
* '''Church''' - Generally large open spaces, plus some office/residential space available.  Sometimes includes parking.
* '''Bank'''
* '''Library'''
* '''School''' - The following recommended for closing after 2008/2009 school year:
** Highlandtown Middle #43
** Harlem Park Middle #78
** Dr. Roland N. Patterson, Sr. Academy #82
** Elmer A. Henderson Elementary #101
** Southwestern High School #412
** Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy #429
** August Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts #430
** Renaissance Academy #433
** Dr. Samuel L. Banks High School #420
** Academy of Career and College Exploration #427
*** ''What kind of organization has the financial capacity to buy a school. Seriously!? [[User:Abachman|Abachman]] 04:41, 28 July 2009 (UTC)''
* '''Light Industrial''' - could be "easy" to find cheap space in a light industrial area, but it's very likely to be highly isolated (that's a negative).
* '''Garages''' — Garage bays are very cheap, have large doors, and offer modular space. It might be possible to lease several neighboring garages for additional space. On the other hand, there is unlikely to be running water or bathroom facilities and heating/cooling could be problematic. 
* '''Store front''' — A store front would give us more visibility in the community, be easy to find, and invite passersby to see what we're up to. The price per square foot is likely to be higher than other location types.
* '''Residential home''' — An entire town house would yield a lot of space with a kitchen and bathroom facilities. Neighbors might be upset with noise and lot of activity around the space. Wood and metal working could do damage to a residential interior. Closed or tight rooms may add a high uncomfortability/poor personal space factor.
* '''Warehouse''' — Lots of cheap space where we can be noisy and messy. Bathrooms and plumbing could be dodgy and kitchens are unlikely. Warehouses tend to be out the way and more difficult to find for people unfamiliar with the location.